{
  "abstract": "Background Reducing meat content in school meals can improve children’s dietary health and support the UK’s transition to Net Zero. In 2024–25, Newcastle primary schools served entirely vegetarian, Planet-Friendly menus once a week. This study explored the implementation, acceptability, nutritional composition, and environmental impacts of Planet-Friendly menus.Methods Three primary schools were purposively sampled on free school meal eligibility and area-level deprivation. Focus groups were conducted with pupils (n=27), parents (n=12), teachers (n=12), caterers and chefs (n=10), and suppliers (n=2). Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Nutritional composition was compared between Planet-Friendly and meat-containing menus using t-tests. Environmental impacts—greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs; kgCO2e), land use (m²), and water use (L)—of meals selected by pupils over three non-consecutive 3-week periods were compared using one-way ANOVAs and Tukey’s post hoc tests.Results Participants in all focus groups were supportive of Planet-Friendly menus, but parents and teachers across the socioeconomic spectrum had concerns about food quality, and nutritional adequacy, expressing a dislike of ‘fake meat’ products. Caterers and suppliers highlighted structural, financial, and cultural factors affecting Planet-Friendly menu implementation. Compared with meat-containing meals, Planet-Friendly meals were higher in fibre (6.7g vs 5.0g; 95% CI 1.0, 2.5) and calcium (147.7mg vs 111.6mg; 95% CI 7.5, 64.8), and lower in energy (326.4kcal vs 415.6kcal; 95% CI –96.6, –21.8) and protein (12.8g vs 18.9g; 95% CI –7.6, –4.6). Differences in environmental impact between meat-containing and Planet-Friendly menus were largely explained by the inclusion of beef-based meals, which increased GHGEs (p<0.001) and land use (p<0.001), and fish-based meals, which increased water use (p=0.038).Conclusion Planet-Friendly menus were supported by the school community but for staff and parents this depended on meal quality and nutritional adequacy. Structural and financial support, alongside intentional menu planning is needed to enhance the intended environmental benefits of Planet-Friendly menus.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NIHR Applied Research Collaboration, North East North Cumbria, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK",
        "Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Mackenzie Fong"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Suzanne Spence"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Prachi Bhatnagar"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NIHR, Health Determinants Research Collaboration, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Claire Batey"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Net Zero Team, Newcastle City Council, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Rachel Somerville"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Beth Senior"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Pinky Thu-Ta"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Letitia Sermin-Reed"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Tony Carr"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Rosie Green"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NIHR Applied Research Collaboration, North East North Cumbria, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK",
        "Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Sophia Brady"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P02-5 Exploring the implementation, acceptability, nutritional content and environmental impacts of ‘planet-friendly’ menus in Newcastle primary schools: a mixed-methods study",
  "uid": "6458d75d-82cc-559e-9b6a-b00fc02c5b7f"
}